Although Kimi Raikkonen retired from Formula 1 in 2021, the sport remains a part of his family’s life through his son, Robin Ace Raikkonen. At just 10 years old, Robin Ace is already making waves in karting and pursuing the ultimate goal of following in the footsteps of his idol, Max Verstappen, the four-time F1 champion. This journey highlights the deep influence of Max Verstappen racing inspiration on the young driver’s ambitions.

Robin Ace is still in his early karting career, yet his progress has been impressive. In September 2024, he clinched his first major title by winning the Swiss RMC karting championship in the Min Max category. His consistent speed and skill led to a podium finish in the season’s final round in Wohlen, signaling that he is a talent to watch as he advances in motorsport.

A Mentor’s Perspective: Gino Rosato on Robin Ace’s Potential

Robin Ace’s support network includes his godfather, Gino Rosato, a legendary figure in Formula 1 with a career spanning nearly 30 years at Ferrari. Rosato contributed to multiple championship victories, including Michael Schumacher’s five consecutive titles and Kimi Raikkonen’s 2007 world championship. He also worked alongside Sebastian Vettel and played a key role in bringing Charles Leclerc to Ferrari.

Having witnessed Robin Ace’s development in karting firsthand, Rosato believes it is only a matter of time before the young driver reaches Formula 1. On the Pitstop podcast, Rosato commented on Robin Ace’s exceptional speed and fearless approach to racing, drawing parallels to Kimi‘s own passion for velocity.

“It’s pretty cool to see the similarities with Kimi, that love for just speed, speed, speed. The kid is incredibly quick. They have no fear of anything. The kid’s idea is to become the next Verstappen,” —Gino Rosato, former Ferrari mechanic and senior figure

Rosato emphasized the grounded attitude of Kimi and his wife regarding Robin Ace’s racing career, which contrasts with the high-pressure expectations often seen in motorsport families.

“Kimi doesn’t make nothing of it. If he goes quick when he goes to to F1, good. If he doesn’t, well, he doesn’t. They are not these crazy parents headed off and (saying), ‘Oh my god, I got the next Senna in my hands.’ All of that together, if it continues on the right track… he has the best coach on the planet. (He’s) grounded, with the Raikkonen genes. Let’s see what happens, but I’m convinced that we’re going to F1.” —Gino Rosato, former Ferrari mechanic and senior figure

Last September, during the Italian Grand Prix weekend in Monza, Robin Ace met Max Verstappen, a moment that captured the growing relationship between the young racer and his hero. Rosato shared the encounter’s significance to the racing community on social media, illustrating the importance of inspiration and mentorship in developing talent.

Kimi Raikkonen Emphasizes the Importance of Enjoyment in Racing

When Kimi Raikkonen visited the F1 paddock in Monza last year, he addressed questions about his son’s future in motorsport. Despite the excitement surrounding Robin Ace’s early successes, Kimi emphasized the priority of enjoyment over immediate results. Speaking to F1.com, he said his son is simply having fun and that is what matters most.

“Ah, he’s enjoying. Everything is going nicely. We’ll see. If something comes or not, who knows? But he’s having fun – that’s the main thing.” —Kimi Raikkonen, 2007 F1 World Champion

This perspective highlights a grounded approach to nurturing talent, focusing on passion and personal growth rather than pressure to deliver instant success. It also underlines the hopeful but realistic outlook held by the Raikkonen family as Robin Ace continues his journey.

The Path Ahead: What Robin Ace Raikkonen’s Motorsport Future May Hold

Robin Ace Raikkonen’s karting achievements and strong support system set the stage for a promising future in racing. Inspired by Max Verstappen’s record-breaking career, Robin Ace is driven by a clear goal to reach Formula 1. With guidance from established figures like Gino Rosato and the steady encouragement of his father, a former F1 champion, Robin’s path toward stardom is steadily unfolding.

If his current trajectory continues, Robin Ace could follow the footsteps of other second-generation drivers who have successfully transitioned into Formula 1, adding another chapter to the sport’s history of family legacies. His story reflects both the power of inspiration drawn from champions like Verstappen and the importance of enjoying the sport while striving for greatness.